Apparatus and method for heating hair styling devices

ABSTRACT

A hair styling device heating system, is disclosed comprising a hair styling device having a high heat plastic polymer, an insulating material, an induction material, a conducting material and a high heat plastic polymer and securing all of the layers together. There is a housing for receiving said hair styling device and for heating it therein. The housing includes an induction coil, a control circuit operatively connected to the coil, a resonant capacitor operatively connected to the circuit, a heat sink connected to the capacitor, and a colored heating indication panel attached to the housing and operatively connected to the circuit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending application Ser. No. 13/187,655 filed Jul. 21, 2012 and copending application Ser. No. 13/483,127, filed on May 30, 2012, which, in turn, claims priority to provisional application 61/584,923, filed Jan. 10, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. This application is a continuation-in-part application of copending application Ser. No. 13/187,655 filed Jul. 21, 2012, which is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 13/483,127, filed on May 30, 2012, both of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to novel types of hair styling devices, for example, hair curlers. Specifically, the present invention relates to a device and method for heating hair styling devices, for example, hair curlers. In particular, the present invention relates to an aesthetically pleasing system for professional and consumer use for heating rollers used for curling hair that is safe, easy, and quick to use. As used herein, terms “rollers” and “curlers” may be used interchangeably, as one of skill in the art will readily recognize. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for heating a variety of hair styling devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional hair styling devices, for example, curling roller sets, usually have one base set with all of the rollers lined up in the heating station. Typically, one turns on the heating station and the entire set of rollers heat up at the same time. The rollers cannot be used until the maximum temperature has been reached, which can take from 2 to 5 minutes. Once the rollers are hot, they are removed from the heater and hair is round about them.

Having a small army of heated rollers or other types of hair styling devices, for example, clips, a brush, or other types of hair styling devices in a heating station, whether at home or at a salon is dangerous to both professionals and the consumer. The hair styling devices can be upended or knocked over with the result of persons and items burned by the heated hair styling devices. Further, the heating station also heats up, which can also be a safety hazard for home use, especially if there are young children in the household.

There is therefore a great need in the art for an aesthetically pleasing system for professional and consumer use for heating hair styling devices, such as rollers, curlers, clips, brushes, etc. used for styling hair that is safe, easy, and quick to use. Accordingly, there is now provided with this invention an improved apparatus and method for heating hair styling devices that effectively overcoming the aforementioned difficulties and longstanding problems inherent in heating such hair styling devices. These problems have been solved in a simple, convenient, and highly effective way by which to heat the hair styling devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of certain embodiments of the invention, a hair curler is disclosed comprising a first conical member having slits extending therearound a second conical member fitting substantially within the first conical member consisting essentially of silicon, and a third conical member fitting substantially within the second conical member comprising a ferro-magnetic material. A first end cap fits on the end of the first conical member having substantially concentric slits therein and a second end cap fits on the end of the third conical member having substantially concentric slits therein.

According to another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention, a hair curler is disclosed comprising a first conical member comprising a high frictional and conducting material therearound, a second conical member fitting substantially within said first conical member comprising a conducting material, a third conical member fitting substantially within said second conical member comprising a high heat plastic polymer, a fourth conical member fitting substantially within said third conical member comprising an induction material, a fifth conical member fitting substantially within said fourth conical member comprising an aluminum film; and an end cap fitting on the end of the hair curler.

According to still another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention, a hair curler heater is disclosed comprising an upper, middle, and lower housing. An induction coil is positioned between the upper and the middle housing and a control circuit is operatively connected to the coil. A resonant capacitor is positioned between the middle and the lower housing. A heat sink is connected to the capacitor and a colored heating indication panel is attached to the upper housing and operatively connected to the control circuit.

According to yet another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention, a hair curler heating system, is disclosed comprising a hair curler having a ferro-magnetic core, a plastic outer shell, an insulator therebetween, and a housing for receiving the curler and for heating it therein. The housing includes an induction coil, a control circuit operatively connected to the coil, a resonant capacitor operatively connected to the circuit, a heat sink connected to the capacitor, and a colored heating indication panel attached to the housing and operatively connected to the circuit.

A further aspect of certain embodiments of the invention discloses a hair styling device having a pair of members hingedly attached to each other. Each member has a first layer comprising a high heat plastic polymer, a second layer attached to the first layer including an insulating material, a third layer attached to the second layer including an induction material, a fourth layer attached to the third layer including a conducting material, and a fifth layer including a high heat plastic polymer securing all of the layers together.

A still further aspect of certain embodiments of the invention discloses a hair styling device, having a first member including a conducting material, a second member fitting substantially within said first member including a high heat plastic polymer, a third member fitting substantially within said second member including an induction material, a fourth member fitting substantially within said third member including an aluminum film, an end cap fitting on the end of the hair styling device having a handle extending therefrom, and bristles radially extending from the hair styling device.

Another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention discloses a hair styling heating apparatus, including a pair of members hingedly attached to each other. Each member has a first layer including a high heat plastic polymer, a second layer attached to the first layer including an insulating material, a third layer attached to the second layer including an induction material, a fourth layer attached to the third layer including a conducting material, and a fifth layer including a high heat plastic polymer securing all of the layers together. The hair styling heating apparatus also includes a housing for receiving the hair styling device and for heating it therein. The housing includes an induction coil, a control circuit operatively connected to the coil, a resonant capacitor operatively connected to the circuit, a heat sink connected to the capacitor, and a colored heating indication panel attached to the housing and operatively connected to the circuit. The hair styling device is inductively heated by the housing.

Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

The method and apparatus of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed discussion of specific embodiments and the attached figures which illustrate and exemplify such embodiments.

The foregoing Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure contained herein nor limit the scope of the appended claims. To the contrary, as will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, variations of the foregoing described embodiments may be implemented without departing from the claimed invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal top view of the curler heater of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the curler heater of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the curler heater of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the curler heater of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of the electrical system of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a detailed electrical schematic drawing of a portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5B is a detailed electrical schematic drawing of another portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the curler of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the curler of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the curler of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front orthogonal view of still another embodiment of the hair styling device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear orthogonal view of the hair styling device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the hair styling device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the hair styling device of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following preferred embodiment as exemplified by the drawings is illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims of this application. A device and method for heating hair curlers is disclosed herein.

The curler heater of the present invention 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 shows an upper housing 1 a, typically having a diameter of 185 mm, a middle housing 1 b, typically having a diameter of 185 mm or 175 mm, with height of 35 mm, and a lower housing 1 c, typically having a diameter of 175 mm. A silicon ring, typically an o-ring, separates the housings from each other.

As specifically illustrated in FIG. 3, a first silicon ring 2 a separates the upper housing 1 a from the middle housing 1 b and another, second silicon ring 2 b separates the middle housing 1 b from the lower housing 1 c. Screws 14 connect the housings together.

A heating indication panel 3 is attached to the upper housing 1 a. The indication panel 3 may be one or many LEDs. Typically, this indication panel 3 indicates the sufficiency of heat applied to a curler by a color-coded indication. For example, it may indicated that a curler is sufficiently heated by turning green. Alternatively, it may display a red color when power is applied and thereafter turn green when a curler is sufficiently heated. A further alternative may include a range of colors or indication lights showing a gradation of temperature achieved by the curler. For example, a 4 color changing indicator 13 may be used which tells the user how much heat energy the roller has left, making predictable judgments for hair styling purposes. When all 4 sections change color, the curler has reached its maximum temperature. Three illuminated sections may mean the curler has reached 75% of heat output. Two 2 illuminated sections may mean the curler has reached 50% of heat output. If only the last section is lit, it may mean that the curler has reached 25% of heat output.

Another alternative for indicating that a sufficient amount of heat has been applied to the hair styling device may be a text message on either the heating device or on the hair styling device itself. For example, the text, “hot” may appear when the hair styling devices are heated to a sufficient temperature, such as, above 60° C., and may disappear when the temperature of the hair styling devices drop below 60° C.

As shown specifically in FIG. 4, a coil frame 4 forms a well 4 a designed to receive a hair curler that is desired to be heated. The coil frame 4 also supports an induction coil comprising windings of wires therearound. Attached to the lower housing 1 c is an on/off switch 5 for applying and disconnecting power to the heater. A wire coil 6 is wound about the coil frame 4 for creating an induction coil. The wire coil 6 typically includes multiple strands (for example, 20 strands) of enameled insulated wires. The wires are typically 0.3 mm in diameter and are twisted and wound upon the coil frame in a diameter of, for example, 100 mm with a typical thickness of 3 mm and length of 63 mm. The number of turns about the coil may vary, but are typically 26-28 turns.

A control circuit 7 is operatively connected to the wire coil 6. The control circuit may be typically a printed circuit board. This print-circuit board comprises:

A micro-switch 8 connects the control circuit 7 to the coil frame 4. A resonant capacitor 9 is positioned between the middle housing 1 b and the lower housing 1 c and is operatively connected to the circuit board. The coil 6 is connected in parallel with the resonant capacitor 9 to create a resonant circuit. A heat sink 10 is housed in the lower housing 1 c and is connected to the capacitor 9. Power to the heating unit 1 is supplied by a power cord connected to a suitable electrical connection 11 positioned in the lower housing 1 c.

FIG. 5 illustrates the electrical system of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the detailed electrical schematics of the present invention. The present invention is mainly designed to make on-off control on the resonant circuit by means of an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). Driven by the resonant circuit, the inductors form a high-frequency alternating current. The varying electric current passing through the inductors will generate varying magnetic lines of force, thus forming a magnetic field. Eddy currents inducted by magnetic lines of force are formed on the outer wall of a ferrous hair curler, and the electric impedances of these eddy currents against the ferrous hair curler convert electric energy into heat energy.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a hair curler 30 of the present invention for being heated in the curler heater 1. A first conical member 12 has slits 15 extending therearound. Typically, self grip tape is used with the first conical member 12 for grabbing the hair just enough so that the fine hair is not snagged or teared.

A second conical member 16 fits substantially within the first conical member 12. The second conical member 16 consists essentially of silicon. A third conical member 18 fits substantially within the second conical member 16. The third conical member 18 comprises a ferro-magnetic material. A first end cap 20 fits on the end of the first conical member 12 and has substantially concentric slits 22. A second end cap 24 fits on the end of the third conical member 18 and also has substantially concentric slits 26 therein. A hair clamp 28 typically holds the wound hair to the hair roller. The hair clamp helps the hair rollers to retain heat and also to set the rollers in place.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the hair curler 40 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the component parts are less conical and more cylindrical in shape. A first conical member 42 has slits 15 extending therearound. Typically, a high frictional material, for example, self grip tape is used with the first conical member 42 for grabbing the hair just enough so that the fine hair is not snagged or teared. The self grip tape includes conductive material, for example, aluminum.

A second conical member 44 fits substantially within the first conical member 42. The second conical member 44 is of conductive material, for example, aluminum. A third conical member 46 fits substantially within the second conical member 44. The third conical member may form a cage as depicted in FIG. 7 and comprise a high heat plastic polymer material. The high heat plastic polymer material can be welded to the self grip tape of the first conical member 42 using, for example, ultra sound. Additives can also be added to the third conical member so that the cage can be made to turn from opaque to a transparent color when heated. A fourth conical member 48 fits substantially within the third conical member. The fourth conical member 48 comprises an induction material, for example, a ferro-magnetic material such as an iron alloy.

The fourth conical member preferably has an air space of from about 2 mm to about 3 mm between it and the third conical member. This air space is used as the insulator for storing and regulating heat in the curler. An end cap 50 fits on the end of the curler. The end cap 50 is preferably made of the same composition as the third conical member.

The foregoing members may be secured together with a sealed bottom. The plastic of the curler made be of a thermo-sensitive materials such that the color and/or transparency of the material (e.g., a thermo-sensitive plastic) changes as the temperature of the curler, and therefore the material, changes. In this manner, a user may be afforded a visual cue as to the relative temperature of the curler.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the hair curler of the present invention. In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the component parts are less conical and more cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, the component parts may be entirely cylindrical in shape. A first member 52 has slits 15 extending therearound. Typically, a high frictional material, for example, self grip tape is used with the first member 52 for grabbing the hair just enough so that the fine hair is not snagged or teared. The self grip tape includes conductive material, for example, aluminum.

A second member 54 fits substantially within the first member 52. The second member 54 is of conductive material, for example, aluminum. The second member 54 may further include slits 55 extending a portion of its length.

A third member 56 fits substantially within the second member 54. The third member 56 may form a cage as depicted in FIG. 8 and comprise a high heat plastic polymer material. The high heat plastic polymer material can be welded to the self grip tape of the first member 42 using, for example, ultra sound. Additives can also be added to the third member so that the cage can be made to turn from opaque to a transparent color when heated.

The first member 52 surrounding the second member 52 may be typically welded to the third member 56. Such welding may be accomplished using, for example, ultra-sound. Once welded, members 52, 54, and 56 become fixed to each other and cannot be taken apart unless they are broken.

A fourth member 60 fits substantially within the third member 56. The fourth member 60 comprises an induction material, for example, a ferro-magnetic material such as an iron alloy. The fourth member preferably has an air space of from about 2 mm to about 3 mm between it and the third member. This air space is used as the insulator for storing and regulating heat in the curler.

A fifth member 62 fits within the fourth member 60. The fifth member 62 comprises aluminum film. The aluminum assists in retaining heat. PBT material may be fixed to the aluminum film. The fifth member is held within the fourth member by rings 58 and 64. Rings 58 and 64 retain the fifth member within the fourth member so that a relatively constant space is kept between the outside diameter of the fifth member and the inside diameter of the fourth member. In this way, annulus is formed between these two members. Screws 68 may be used to connect the third member 56 to the ring 58. An end cap 66 fits on the end of the curler. The end cap 66 is preferably made of the same composition as the third member. Screws 68 may be used to connect the end cap 66 to the third member. The foregoing members may be secured together with a sealed bottom. The plastic of the curler made be of a thermo-sensitive materials such that the color and/or transparency of the material (e.g., a thermo-sensitive plastic) changes as the temperature of the curler, and therefore the material, changes. In this manner, a user may be afforded a visual cue as to the relative temperature of the curler.

A further modification of this unit may transform the cylindrical curler to another type of hair styling device, for example, a brush. In such a device, bristles may radially extend from the outer surface of the hair styling device. In addition, a handle may extend from an end thereof for easy handling of the user.

A hair clamp typically holds the wound hair to the hair roller. The hair clamp helps the hair rollers to retain heat and also to set the rollers in place.

Typically, there are six sizes of hair curlers (in diameters of 26 mm, 32 mm, 38 mm, 46 mm, 52 mm and 58 mm). They are made of stainless iron sheet in thickness of 0.1 mm and length of 60 mm. Each hair curler has silicon film added to the exterior in a typical thickness of 1-1.5 mm, covered with nylon self grip tape, with its top and bottom being covered with polycarbonate plastic. Each size of roller will retain the same temperature of heat and for the same amount of time, controlled by the insulator inside the roller.

FIG. 9 another embodiment of the hair styling device of the present invention as shown as a clip 70. The clip has a pair of substantially identical members 72 and 74 that are attached to one another by a hinge 76. The pair of members may be curved toward one another in a C-shape. The hinge 76 is shown more particularly in FIG. 10 in a rear orthogonal view of the hair styling device. As depicted therein, the hinge 76 has a pin 78 that extends through a pair of arms 80 and 82 on one member 72 and another pair of arms 84 and 86 on the other member 74. The hinge includes a spring 88 for biasing the pair of members toward one another.

A side view of the clip is shown in FIG. 11 illustrating handles 90 and 92 extending from the members 72 and 74 respectively. The handles 90 and 92 allow the user of the clip to more easily open and close the clip against the biasing force of the spring 88. The members 72 and 74 may also include interlocking teeth 94 which extend beyond their respective members on the opposite side from the hinge 76.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the hair styling device in the shape of a clip 70 showing the constituent layers of each member. Each member of the clip 70 includes a first layer 96. The first layer 96 includes a high heat plastic polymer. The clip 70 also includes a second layer 98 attached to the first layer 96. The second layer includes an insulating material. The insulating material may be, for example, silicone. The insulating material helps to insulate and regulate the heat retained by the clip. The clip 70 also includes a third layer 100 attached to the second layer 98. The second layer 98 includes an induction material. The induction material may be, for example, an iron alloy. The clip 70 further includes a fourth layer 102 attached to the third layer 100. The fourth layer 102 includes a conducting material. The conducting material may be, for example, aluminum, which may be in the form of a film. The clip 70 may further include a fifth layer 104. The fifth layer 104 includes a high heat plastic polymer. The fifth layer 104 secures all of the layers together as previously described, for example, by welding, gluing, bonding, or the like.

In use, the clip 70 may be placed in the induction unit for heating. Once heated by the induction unit, the outside of the clip maintains cool to the touch. The user only has to curl the hair between their fingers for the desired effect, and clip the heated clip onto the curl they have made. The heat is trapped with the hair, shortening the styling time but giving amazingly natural curls at the same time. The user can adjust the tightness of the curl by making smaller and tight curls or natural waves by casually curling the hair in loose curls.

Using the heated clip, hair may be curled by the following steps:

-   -   1. Gather a section of hair placing the fingers or a device such         as a wand at the root of the hair.     -   2. Wrap the hair around the fingers, not too tightly.     -   3. Using a free hand, hold the curl in place.     -   4. Gently slide the fingers out of the curl.     -   5. Apply the heated clip over the curl without crushing the         curl.     -   6. Keep the clip in place until the clip is cool to the touch.

EXAMPLE

It is to be understood that the following example of the present invention is not intended to restrict the present invention since many more modifications may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

In operation, an embodiment of the present invention operates as follows. When the power supply is switched on and two pole switches are turned on, power is on shown by a red display. When a heat conducting hair styling device is put into the well, a micro-switch in the well will be activated. If any ferromagnetic material is detected, a green lamp will blink and send an acoustic signal and will apply a high-frequency alternating current to the inductors. A magnetic field will be thus be generated in the well. If there is ferromagnetic material within the range of magnetic field, high frequency eddy currents will be generated in the magnetic field. Under the effect of the eddy currents, the heat conducting hair styling device containing ferromagnetic material will generate heat. When the green lamp stops blinking and the acoustic signal ends, the heating has been stopped. The heat conducting hair styling device can then be removed for use. Since the high frequency eddy current is still left in the heat conducting hair styling device, it will slowly raise the temperature. When the temperature indicators have started to change color slowly (all four grids change color), it means that the heat conducting hair curler can no longer be heated until the four grids have turned to their primary colors.

The total time for registering whether an object in the well contains iron is typically 4 seconds. The total time for heating the hair styling device is typically 4 seconds.

The quick instant heat up of induction heating allows the user to place the hair styling device into the heating well, wait for a total of 8 seconds, take the hair styling device out and place another hair styling device into the well in preparation for the next roll. The present invention heats up one hair styling device at a time, eliminating the risk of having heated hair styling devices sitting around. The hair styling device is always freshly heated for styling.

The induction of the present invention also allows the hair styling device to reach the maximum temperature not at the time of applying the hair styling device, but shortly afterwards. This allows the user sufficient time to handle a mildly heated hair styling device instead of a piping hot hair styling device.

Although the particular embodiments shown and described above will prove to be useful in many applications in the heating hair styling arts to which the present invention pertains, further modifications of the present invention will occur to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling device having a pair of members hingedly attached to each other, wherein each member comprises: a. a first layer comprising a high heat plastic polymer; b. a second layer attached to said first layer comprising an insulating material; c. a third layer attached to said second layer comprising an induction material; d. a fourth layer attached to said third layer comprising a conducting material; and; e. a fifth layer comprising a high heat plastic polymer and securing all of the layers together.
 2. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the insulating material of said second layer is silicon.
 3. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the induction material of said third layer is an iron alloy.
 4. The hair styling device of claim 3, wherein the conducting material of said fourth layer is aluminum.
 5. The hair styling device of claim 4, wherein said fourth layer is an aluminum film.
 6. The hair styling device of claim 5, wherein said first layer is of the same material as said fifth layer.
 7. The hair styling device of claim 6, wherein said layers are fused to one another.
 8. The hair styling device of claim 6, wherein said layers are welded to one another.
 9. The hair styling device of claim 8, wherein said welding is accomplished by ultra-sound welding.
 10. The hair styling device of claim 9, wherein said hinge is a spring hinge.
 11. The hair styling device of claim 10, wherein said polymer material of said first layer changes from opaque to transparent when heated.
 12. The hair styling device of claim 11, wherein said polymer material of said fifth layer changes from opaque to transparent color when heated.
 13. A hair styling device, comprising: a. a first member comprising a conducting material; b. a second member fitting substantially within said first member comprising a high heat plastic polymer; c. a third member fitting substantially within said second member comprising an induction material; d. a fourth member fitting substantially within said third member comprising an aluminum film; e. an end cap fitting on the end of the hair styling device having a handle extending therefrom; and f. bristles radially extending from the hair styling device.
 14. The hair styling device of claim 13, further comprising a pair of rings for holding said fourth member within said third member.
 15. The hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the conducting material of said first member is aluminum.
 16. The hair styling device of claim 15, wherein the induction material of said third member is an iron alloy.
 17. The hair styling device of claim 16, wherein said members are welded to one another.
 18. The hair styling device of claim 17, wherein said welding is accomplished by ultra-sound welding.
 19. The hair styling device of claim 18, wherein said polymer material changes from opaque to a transparent when heated.
 20. A hair styling heating apparatus, comprising: a. a pair of members hingedly attached to each other, wherein each member comprises: i. a first layer comprising a high heat plastic polymer; ii. a second layer attached to said first layer comprising an insulating material; iii. a third layer attached to said second layer comprising an induction material; iv. a fourth layer attached to said third layer comprising a conducting material, and; v. a fifth layer comprising a high heat plastic polymer securing all of the layers together; and b. a housing for receiving said hair styling device and for heating it therein, wherein said housing comprises: i. an induction coil; ii. a control circuit operatively connected to the coil; iii. a resonant capacitor operatively connected to the circuit; iv. a heat sink connected to the capacitor; and v. a colored heating indication panel attached to the housing and operatively connected to the circuit, wherein said hair styling device is inductively heated by said housing. 